Africa

United States of America

Graduate Student

Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois

kathryn-deluna@northwestern.edu

Northwestern University
Department of History
Harris Hall #202
1881 Sheridan Rd.
Evanston, IL 60208

phone: 847-491-3406
fax: 847-467-1393

Zambia

I specialize in the precolonial history of south central Africa. By using
a methodology called comparative historical linguistics, I reconstruct
three thousand years of history among Botatwe speaking peoples -- in
present-day Zambia -- to understand how Botatwe farmers who also hunted,
fished, and foraged were able to both supplement their farming activities
in the face of seasonal or longer-term shortages and shape the changing
content and character of political ideas about power and influence.

Specifically, I am interested in understanding how acquiring a reputation
based on demonstrated skill in "bush" craft allowed some Botatwe peoples
to develop new ideas about elderhood, friendship, and other forms of
social identity and influence.

None on file.

Southern Africa ; precolonial history ; comparative historical linguistics ; Botatwe peoples ; power